It may not have been quite as easy as some were expecting, but Point of Entry got the job done in the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (gr. I) this afternoon at Belmont Park,
Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, who was winning his third consecutive grade I race of the day, Point of Entry got away to a clean start and soon settled into the third position, tucked in along the rail as Little Mike and Treasure Beach led the way through slow fractions of :25.70, :51.99, and 1:18.16 seconds. Kindergarden Kid, Hailstone, and Finnegans Wake were the early trailers.
Just past the halfway point of the race, Treasure Beach and Point of Entry made bold runs to move ahead of Little Mike, who was gradually dropping out of contention.
Moving round the final turn, Point of Entry moved up to challenge Treasure Beach for the lead, while Kindergarden Kid loomed a contender along the inside. Turning for home, Treasure Beach drifted outward several paths, taking Point of Entry with him and allowing Kindergarden Kid to make a bold run along the rail. However, Treasure Beach soon straightened out, and Point of Entry put him away and drew off to win by 1 3/4 lengths in 2:33.73 seconds.
Kindergarden Kid 2 1/2 lengths further back in third, followed by Finnegans Wake, Little Mike, and Hailstone. The winner, a son of Dynaformer, is owned by Phipps Stable and trained by Shug McGaughey. He has now won five consecutive races, including three straight grade Is.
-Keelerman
Showing posts with label Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational. Show all posts
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Entries: Point of Entry goes for 5th straight victory
Two-time grade I winner Point of Entry will attempt to bring his winning streak to five when he heads to post for the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
The son of Dynaformer will face only five rivals in the twelve-furlong turf race, which is a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I). His primary opposition is expected to come from Little Mike, winner of the Arlington Million (gr. I) and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (gr. I) this year. Finnegans Wake, a three-year-old colt that most recently finished second in the Secretariat Stakes (gr. I), could also contend in his first start at twelve furlongs.
European shipper Treasure Beach, from the barn of Aidan O'Brien, won a number of prestigious races in 2011, but has not found the winner's circle in five starts this year, which includes a pair of disappointing losses behind both Point of Entry and Little Mike.
Post Positions:
-Keelerman
The son of Dynaformer will face only five rivals in the twelve-furlong turf race, which is a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I). His primary opposition is expected to come from Little Mike, winner of the Arlington Million (gr. I) and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (gr. I) this year. Finnegans Wake, a three-year-old colt that most recently finished second in the Secretariat Stakes (gr. I), could also contend in his first start at twelve furlongs.
European shipper Treasure Beach, from the barn of Aidan O'Brien, won a number of prestigious races in 2011, but has not found the winner's circle in five starts this year, which includes a pair of disappointing losses behind both Point of Entry and Little Mike.
Post Positions:
| PP | Horse | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Hailstone | 126 | Julien Leparoux | Robert Ribaudo |
| 2 | Point of Entry | 126 | John Velazquez | Claude McGaughey III |
| 3 | Treasure Beach | 126 | Jamie Spencer | Aidan O'Brien |
| 4 | Little Mike | 126 | Ramon Dominguez | Dale Romans |
| 5 | Kindergarden Kid | 126 | Javier Castellano | Mike Maker |
| 6 | Finnegans Wake | 121 | Joel Rosario | Dale Romans |
-Keelerman
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Contender Profile: TREASURE BEACH
Owner: Mrs. Fitriani Hay, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael B. Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Breeder: James S. Karp
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
RACE RECORD
Age 4
6th Arlington Million Stakes (gr. I)
4th Ballyroan Stakes (Ire-III)
5th Man o' War Stakes (gr. I)
9th Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I)
4th Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (UAE-I)
Age 3
3rd Pattison Canadian International (Can-I)
14th Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I)
1st Secretariat Stakes (gr. I)
4th Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-I)
1st Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-I)
2nd Investec Derby (Eng-I)
1st Weight for Age Stakes
Age 2
3rd Weight for Age Stakes
2nd Handicap
1st Handicap
1st Maiden Weight for Age
2nd Maiden Weight for Age
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Treasure Beach in the past, click here.
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Breeder: James S. Karp
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
RACE RECORD
Age 4
6th Arlington Million Stakes (gr. I)
4th Ballyroan Stakes (Ire-III)
5th Man o' War Stakes (gr. I)
9th Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I)
4th Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (UAE-I)
Age 3
3rd Pattison Canadian International (Can-I)
14th Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I)
1st Secretariat Stakes (gr. I)
4th Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-I)
1st Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-I)
2nd Investec Derby (Eng-I)
1st Weight for Age Stakes
Age 2
3rd Weight for Age Stakes
2nd Handicap
1st Handicap
1st Maiden Weight for Age
2nd Maiden Weight for Age
PEDIGREE
| Sadler's Wells | ||
| Galileo | ||
| Urban Sea | ||
| Treasure Beach | ||
| Mark of Esteem | ||
| Honorine | ||
| Blue Water |
To read what I have written about Treasure Beach in the past, click here.
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Contender Profile: PRINCE WILL I AM
Owner: Casa Farms I, LLC
Trainer: Michelle Nihei
Breeder: Roxanne Martin Stable Inc. and Anzac LLC
Expected Jockey: Unknown
RACE RECORD
Age 5
6th Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. II)
Age 4
9th Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. I)
3rd Pan American Stakes (gr. III)
1st Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II)
Age 3
1st William L. McKnight Handicap (gr. II)
2nd Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. III) (disqualified and placed 10th)
1st Jamaica Handicap (gr. I)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
3rd Allowance
5th Northern Dancer Stakes (gr. III)
2nd Allowance
5th Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II)
8th Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II)
2nd Allowance
9th Allowance
Age 2
1st Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Prince Will I Am in the past, click here.
Trainer: Michelle Nihei
Breeder: Roxanne Martin Stable Inc. and Anzac LLC
Expected Jockey: Unknown
RACE RECORD
Age 5
6th Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. II)
Age 4
9th Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. I)
3rd Pan American Stakes (gr. III)
1st Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II)
Age 3
1st William L. McKnight Handicap (gr. II)
2nd Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. III) (disqualified and placed 10th)
1st Jamaica Handicap (gr. I)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
3rd Allowance
5th Northern Dancer Stakes (gr. III)
2nd Allowance
5th Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II)
8th Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II)
2nd Allowance
9th Allowance
Age 2
1st Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Crytopclearance | ||
| Victory Gallop | ||
| Victorious Lil | ||
| Prince Will I Am | ||
| Dynaformer | ||
| Dyna's Dynamo | ||
| Dynawite |
To read what I have written about Prince Will I Am in the past, click here.
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Contender Profile: POINT OF ENTRY
Owner: Phipps Stable
Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Breeder: Phipps Stable
Expected Jockey: John Velazquez
RACE RECORD
Age 4
1st Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (gr. I)
1st Man o' War Stakes (gr. I)
1st Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 3
1st Allowance
3rd Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Curlin Stakes
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Point of Entry in the past, click here.
Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III
Breeder: Phipps Stable
Expected Jockey: John Velazquez
RACE RECORD
Age 4
1st Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (gr. I)
1st Man o' War Stakes (gr. I)
1st Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 3
1st Allowance
3rd Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Curlin Stakes
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
| Roberto | ||
| Dynaformer | ||
| Andover Way | ||
| Point of Entry | ||
| Seeking the Gold | ||
| Matlacha Pass | ||
| Our Country Place |
To read what I have written about Point of Entry in the past, click here.
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational: LITTLE MIKE
Owner: Priscilla Vaccarezza
Trainer: Dale Romans
Breeder: Carlo E. Vaccarezza
Expected Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
RACE RECORD
Age 5
1st Arlington Million Stakes (gr. I)
3rd Shoemaker Mile Stakes (gr. I)
1st Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (gr. I)
4th Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. III)
1st Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes
Age 4
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Emirates Airlines Appleton Stakes (gr. III)
1st Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. III)
6th Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. I)
1st Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (gr. III)
Age 3
1st Allowance
2nd Monarch's Maze Stakes
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Allowance
1st Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
8th Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
8th Florida Stallion Dr. Fager Stakes
2nd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Little Mike in the past, click here.
Trainer: Dale Romans
Breeder: Carlo E. Vaccarezza
Expected Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
RACE RECORD
Age 5
1st Arlington Million Stakes (gr. I)
3rd Shoemaker Mile Stakes (gr. I)
1st Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (gr. I)
4th Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. III)
1st Florida Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes
Age 4
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Emirates Airlines Appleton Stakes (gr. III)
1st Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. III)
6th Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. I)
1st Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (gr. III)
Age 3
1st Allowance
2nd Monarch's Maze Stakes
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Allowance
1st Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
8th Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
8th Florida Stallion Dr. Fager Stakes
2nd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Unbridled | ||
| Spanish Steps | ||
| Trolley Song | ||
| Little Mike | ||
| Wavering Monarch | ||
| Hay Jude | ||
| Double Norm |
To read what I have written about Little Mike in the past, click here.
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Contender Profile: FINNEGANS WAKE
Owner: Donegal Racing
Trainer: Dale Romans
Breeder: Jerry Crawford
Expected Jockey: Unknown
RACE RECORD
Age 3
2nd Secretariat Stakes (gr. I)
3rd Virginia Derby (gr. II)
1st Allowance
4th American Turf Stakes (gr. II)
10th Louisiana Derby (gr. II)
3rd Gotham Stakes (gr. III)
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
8th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Finnegans Wake in the past, click here.
Trainer: Dale Romans
Breeder: Jerry Crawford
Expected Jockey: Unknown
RACE RECORD
Age 3
2nd Secretariat Stakes (gr. I)
3rd Virginia Derby (gr. II)
1st Allowance
4th American Turf Stakes (gr. II)
10th Louisiana Derby (gr. II)
3rd Gotham Stakes (gr. III)
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
8th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Sadler's Wells | ||
| Powerscourt | ||
| Rainbow Lake | ||
| Finnegans Wake | ||
| Silver Ghost | ||
| Boat's Ghost | ||
| Rocktheboat |
To read what I have written about Finnegans Wake in the past, click here.
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Contender Profile: CENTER DIVIDER
Owner: Amerman Racing LLC.
Trainer: Chad Brown
Breeder: Jon Kelly and Sarah Kelly
Expected Jockey: Unknown
RACE RECORD
Age 5
7th Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Man o' War Stakes (gr. I)
8th Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II)
3rd Allowance
4th Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 4
4th W. L. McKnight Handicap (gr. II)
3rd Sycamore Stakes (gr. III)
2nd Bowling Green Handicap (gr. II)
2nd John's Call Stakes
4th Dominion Day Stakes (gr. III)
1st Allowance
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 3
3rd Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Jamaica Handicap (gr. I)
1st Allowance
7th Palm Beach Stakes (gr. III)
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
2nd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
To read what I have written about Center Divider in the past, click here.
Trainer: Chad Brown
Breeder: Jon Kelly and Sarah Kelly
Expected Jockey: Unknown
RACE RECORD
Age 5
7th Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Man o' War Stakes (gr. I)
8th Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II)
3rd Allowance
4th Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 4
4th W. L. McKnight Handicap (gr. II)
3rd Sycamore Stakes (gr. III)
2nd Bowling Green Handicap (gr. II)
2nd John's Call Stakes
4th Dominion Day Stakes (gr. III)
1st Allowance
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 3
3rd Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Jamaica Handicap (gr. I)
1st Allowance
7th Palm Beach Stakes (gr. III)
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
2nd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Storm Cat | ||
| Giant's Causeway | ||
| Mariah's Storm | ||
| Center Divider | ||
| Lomitas | ||
| Meridiana | ||
| Monbijou |
To read what I have written about Center Divider in the past, click here.
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